Weekend Read: Why Brisbane must break the bank, make Payne Haas the NRL’s next $1m man

Things have changed for Payne Haas and the Broncos. It’s time to go all-in on a pay deal that just doesn’t stack against the eight props getting more than him, writes BRENT READ.

Payne Haas. Picture: NRL Imagery

Just over a year ago, as Payne Haas found himself at the centre of an integrity unit investigation following a clash with former teammate Albert Kelly over a pair of white shoes, I used this column to urge the Brisbane Broncos to cut him loose.

As good as Haas is, I argued, he wasn’t worth the trouble. Not if it was going to drag the Broncos’ good name through the mud. At the time, Haas was agitating for a change and Brisbane were fighting to convince him to stay.

I encouraged them to give up the fight. Use the money to strengthen their spine, which was labouring. Haas was good, but no one was irreplaceable. Rather than pay him a small fortune, direct that money into other parts of the side and accelerate your premiership challenge.

Payne Haas has proven himself worthy of being Brisbane’s $1m man. Picture: NRL Photos

Well, I’ve changed my mind. Done a complete 180. I’ve decided it’s time to fight for Payne. Time for the Broncos to up the ante, make him a million-dollar man, and keep him out of the clutches of their rivals in both rugby league and rugby union.

Haas has kept his nose clean and his head down since last year. He has accepted the Broncos decision to make him stay and produced world-class rugby league on a weekly basis.

Some things haven’t changed over the past 12 months. Haas is still a generational talent who has the potential to be remembered as the greatest front rower – maybe forward – in the game’s history.

He is still coveted by just about every club in the game. Rugby union and the NFL have come knocking as well, although Haas still has another year on his contract in Brisbane which is due to pay him $848,000.

Despite his lofty salary, Payne Haas is getting paid unders. Picture: Getty

It’s good money but not market value. This masthead’s recent Rich 100 showed that Haas isn’t getting what he is worth. There were front rowers galore on that list and Haas was well down the rankings, earning less than Addin Fonua-Blake, James Fisher-Harris, Junior Paulo, Joey Tapine, Jake Trbojevic, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Nelson Asofa-Solomona and David Klemmer.

He isn’t crying poor, but he deserves a raise and clearly he recognises that as well given this masthead’s revelation that Haas will head to market on November 1 to test his value.

There will be no shortage of suitors in Sydney willing to throw huge money at a player who can become the cornerstone of your club’s forward pack for the next decade.

Haas has had his troubles but those who know him best insist what you see and hear is not necessarily what you get. Haas is intelligent and respectful. Above all else, he sets a standard on the training paddock that can’t help but lift those around him.

His work ethic and dedication are without question. A year ago, he seemed to find trouble at every turn. Not any more. He has matured and seemingly come to accept his place in the game.

On the flipside, the other thing that has changed dramatically over the past 12 months is the Broncos. A year ago, when Haas was fighting with Kelly, the Broncos were battling.

Their spine was in all sorts. Haas wanted to win and the outlook wasn’t looking good at the Broncos. Brisbane were in the midst of a rebuild and they didn’t need the trouble that seemed to come with Haas.

In Reece Walsh (L) and Payne Haas, Brisbane has the building blocks of long-term success. Picture: Getty

Nor were they strong enough as a club to handle the drama. Things are different now. The Broncos spine is keeping pace with the best teams in the competition thanks to the arrival of Reece Walsh.

Haas is avoiding drama and the club is where he wants it to be – well and truly in the premiership race.

Haas’ manager Ahmad Mehir told this masthead this week that Haas wants to win premierships. He wants to compete for titles. It isn’t all about money, he said. Payne wants a ring.

If that is the case, the Broncos are the club for him. Their squad is turning into a side capable of challenging for premierships. They have their backbone again. Those who doubted the coaching credentials of Kevin Walters are growing more silent by the minute.

The Broncos have done the right thing by Haas. They backed him when he didn’t necessarily back them. Now they need to pay him. If they do that, he should stay and help them win a premiership.

That’s certainly something worth fighting for.

TIGER TAKEOVER GATHERS PACE

The push for change at the Wests Tigers is gathering momentum as a group of supporters campaigning for a full review of the club’s management prepare to meet the powerful Wests Ashfield group.

The group contacted Wests Ashfield boss and former Wests Tigers board member Simon Cook this week to update him on the petition they have kicked off, which now has more than 1100 signatures.

The petition is asking for the Tigers to be subjected to a thorough external review. At some point, it is likely to be discussed by the board of Wests Ashfield, who own a 90 per cent stake in the Tigers.

The other 10 per cent is owned by the Balmain Tigers. Wests Ashfield hold the whip hand.

Years of underwhelming on-field results have fans demanding change at the top level at the Wests Tigers. Picture: Getty

They are the entity that have the power to usher in change at the Tigers – there have been recent murmurs that they may look to take sole control at some point in the future, although that has been denied by those with knowledge of the club’s operations.

The Tigers continue to labour this season and there are still issues in the background that threaten their ability to turn things around. The fact that a group of fans have been able to generate such support for their petition suggests there is a mood for change among those who fill the hill at Leichhardt Oval.

There’s an old saying that if you start listening to the fans, you’ll end up sitting with them. That said, it can’t hurt to hear their frustrations. The Tigers need all the help they can get at the moment.

Originally published as Weekend Read: Why Brisbane must break the bank, make Payne Haas the NRL’s next $1m man